The Ulster Unionist Party has demanded that the Justice Minister and Prison Authorities listen to and act on the concerns of Prison Officers, following the announcement that staff at both Maghaberry and Magilligan prisons have voted for industrial action.

Lagan Valley MLA Jenny Palmer said:

“The vote for Industrial action by Prison Officers is the inevitable consequence of years of strain being put on Prison staff and a failure of the system. 

“Promises made regarding pay and conditions have not been met, staffing levels have been allowed to run down, safety in our prisons has become a major issue and officers have been targeted and even murdered on the outside.  

“All this has combined to heap ever greater stress upon rank and file officers and morale has been badly affected. The Ulster Unionist Party has been warning about the problems in our prisons and we are not surprised to learn that Prison officers have now reached the point where they have voted for Industrial action. HMP Maghaberry is in my own Lagan Valley constituency, and I am well aware of the issues that exist there, but with Magilligan also voting for industrial action, it is clear that the problems are widespread.    

“There is absolutely no question that there has been a major loss of confidence in those running our prisons. It has not happened overnight, and in order to rebuild trust and confidence, it is clear to me that there has to be better strategic management of the Northern Ireland Prison Service with a clear commitment to take the concerns of staff seriously. After all, they are the ones in the frontline, and they know what they are talking about.”